Year 2050

  Month 3

  Academy

  Lucian adjusted his blazer before walking through the halls.

  Three girls lingered by their lockers, their conversation stopping as Lucian approached. They exchanged glances before the tallest of them tucked a strand of her black hair behind her ear and threw him a confident smile as she stepped forward.

  “Lucian! I was hoping to catch you before class,” she said. “About the physics project—I was wondering if we could work together?”

  “Sure, Mei,” Lucian replied with a smile. “I’m free this afternoon if that works for you.”

  Behind Mei, her friends exchanged looks.

  “Perfect!” Mei beamed. “Library at four? Or maybe we can go to your place?”

  “Library is fine, see you then,” Lucian confirmed, continuing down the hall.

  Three boys watched from the other end of the corridor, their expressions darkening as they observed.

  “Again?” the shortest of the three muttered, leaning against the wall. “That’s the third girl this week.”

  “Golden boy gets everything handed to him,” the second boy agreed, his eyes narrowing.

  The largest of the three cracked his knuckles. “Maybe it’s time someone knocked him down a peg.”

  “You got something in mind, Kash?” the shortest asked.

  “Maybe I do, Tade,” the large boy replied. “Maybe I do.”

  …

  Time moved as slowly as the stretching shadows before the bell finally rang. Students began packing their belongings, the rustling of papers and zipping of bags filled the room.

  “Remember your homework is due tomorrow, and no excuses,” Miss Katari announced over the noise. “I expect detailed analysis of the lessons we went over this week, not just summaries.”

  The groans of her students were the only reply given to her, which she ignored with practiced ease.

  “Lucian,” she called. “A moment, please.”

  Lucian nodded, returning to his seat. A few curious glances were thrown his way, followed by not so quiet whispers.

  “Is he in trouble?” a boy with glasses murmured to his friend.

  “With his grades? Doubt it,” came a response.

  Two girls lingered near the doorway, giving Miss Katari evaluating looks. “Maybe she’s trying to get with Lucian,” one whispered, giggling behind her hand.

  “Maybe? She did break up with her boyfriend not too long ago!”

  “Oh and I also heard she reads those kinds of novels hehe.”

  “Impossible,” another girl chimed in, her voice dreamy. “Don’t you know Miss Katari is with Dante after that confession?”

  “You were there?” her friend asked, eyes widening.

  “Everyone was! It was so romantic the way he stood up and declared his feelings,” the romantic girl sighed.

  “I heard Dante hasn’t been around because she rejected him,” a lanky boy commented.

  A girl with blue highlights in her hair shook her head. “No, I heard Miss Katari was sleeping around with a bunch of guys and Dante caught her.”

  “You’ve got it backward,” another boy countered. “Miss Katari caught Dante sleeping with Emma and her sister. That’s why she got angry at him, and that’s why he hasn’t shown up.”

  “Poor Miss Katari first her ex boyfriend now dante.”

  Miss Katari’s expression grew increasingly strained as the gossip continued. Finally, she slapped her hand on the desk.

  “That’s enough! Class ended. I suggest you all hurry to your next period,” she called out, her naturally sultry voice carrying an edge that sent students scurrying.

  The last student paused at the door, leaning back to whisper to her friend, “He must have been right. I didn’t know Dante was such a player.”

  The door finally closed, leaving Lucian and Miss Katari alone in the classroom. She immediately slumped into her chair, rubbing her temples with an exasperated sigh.

  Lucian watched with amusement. “Are you alright, Miss Katari?” he asked, his voice carried a natural charm to it mixed with an intentional concern.

  Stolen novel; please report.

  She looked up at him, and a small smile tugged at her lips despite her frustration. “I understand how you’ve had such success in modeling. That effortless charm of yours.”

  Lucian laughed, the sound warm and genuine. “Thank you. Though I’d argue that you have your own charm Miss Katari have you ever thought about being a voice actress?”

  “Please don’t get started with that,” she shook her head.

  “I asked you to stay behind in fact because of Dante, I wanted to ask you about him. He hasn’t been to school for a while now.”

  Lucian’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “His family didn’t inform the school? I thought they would have.”

  “They informed us he would miss some classes,” Miss Katari replied.

  “But that doesn’t typically mean weeks. No official reason was given, I’m beginning to grow concerned about him.”

  A teasing smile spread across Lucian’s face as he gave an exaggerated wink.

  “What?” Miss Katari asked, confused by his expression. Then, realization dawned. “As his teacher! I’m concerned as his teacher!”

  Lucian laughed again.

  “I swear,” she muttered, shaking her head. “I’m starting to see how you and Dante are friends after all. You both seem so different, but now I can tell you just hide your mischief behind that charming smile.”

  “You’ve caught me,” Lucian admitted with a grin. “But Dante is fine, I promise. He’s just handling some private Mercier family business. It’s nothing to worry about.”

  Miss Katari studied him for a moment. “Very well if you say so,” she finally relented. “Just tell him that his assignments are piling up.”

  “I’ll be sure to pass that along,” Lucian promised, gathering his things.

  …

  Lucian approached the western side of the gymnasium.

  “I’m busy but it’s rude to not decline a love letter in person.” he muttered to himself.

  “Ah the famous lovers spot one of the few blind spots in the school where young romantic love birds go to find their hearts. Unfortunately I will break another one today.” Lucian sighed tragically as he fixed his hair.

  Just as the thought words came out of his mouth, movement from behind the dumpsters caught his attention. Three figures emerged, spreading out to surround him.

  “Well, well. The golden boy actually showed up,” Tade said, his lips curled in a sneer.

  “I told you he would,” Kash replied, rolling his shoulders.

  The third boy laughed. “Love letter worked like a charm. Should’ve seen your face, thinking some girl was waiting for you.”

  Lucian’s expression shifted from confusion to understanding. “So there’s no girl?” He casually tucked the pink envelope he’d been holding into his pocket. “That’s disappointing. I was prepared with a very gentle letdown speech. But I didn’t have time to adjust it for a man, I usually don’t get male confessions but I suppose It has happened a few times. So which of you is the confessor?”

  “Huh?” the third boy stammered, his smugness evaporating.

  “What is he talking about?” Kash asked, looking confused.

  Tade glanced between his friends. “I don’t know... wait... he thinks we are here to confess.”

  “You bastard, that’s not what this is!” Kash shouted, his face reddening.

  “The only letdown is going to be your face when we’re done with it,” Tade spat.

  “May I ask what I’ve done to earn this honor?” Lucian inquired, dropping his bag by the wall.

  “Nothing in particular,” Kash said, stepping forward. “Just tired of watching your smug face.”

  Lucian nodded thoughtfully. “I see. Jealousy then.”

  “We’re not jealous!” Tade snapped, his fists clenching.

  “Of course not,” Lucian replied.

  “So… which one of you is the guy who’s into other guys? I promise I won’t judge. I mean I will still reject you of course but…”

  The third boy lunged forward suddenly, swinging a wild haymaker toward Lucian’s face. “Shut your mouth!”

  Lucian stepped to the side, the punch missing his face by inches. He grabbed the boy’s wrist and yanked, throwing him off balance.

  “What the hell?” the boy stumbled, barely keeping his footing.

  Before the boy could recover, Lucian twisted the arm behind his back and drove his knee into the back of the boy’s leg, forcing him to drop to one knee.

  “You need to work on your technique,” Lucian said, releasing the boy with a push that sent him sprawling to the ground. “You might be fine against normal people but...”

  Kash attacked next with a charge that interrupted Lucian, his shoulder leading the assault. His face twisted with anger, eyes locked on Lucian’s chest.

  Lucian waited until Kash was almost on him before sidestepping and sticking his foot out. He grabbed Kash’s arm and helped the momentum, sending him crashing face-first into the dumpster.

  BANG!

  The metal rang out as Kash’s body collided with it. Garbage spilled over as he slumped to the ground.

  “Did you really think this was a good idea?” Lucian asked, adjusting his sleeve. “I don’t go looking for fights. But my family made sure I know how to handle myself.”

  Tade looked at his friend on the ground, then back at Lucian.

  “What’s wrong? Having second thoughts?” Lucian asked.

  “Two against one,” the third boy said, regaining his balance. “We still got you outnumbered.”

  They circled Lucian, more careful now.

  Lucian activated his holo-phone.

  “Making a call for help coward?” one of the three asked mockingly.

  “Coward? Uh.” Lucian looked at the three surrounding him, then shook his head.

  “No I’m just answering some texts since you guys are boring me. Lots of girls unanswered and all that.”

  Tade rushed in first with a fake left jab before throwing a right punch. Lucian blocked it with his forearm. The impact made a dull thud. He countered with a quick punch to Tade’s chest, hitting him right in the chest.

  Tade gasped and doubled over, struggling to breathe.

  The third boy attacked from behind. Lucian ducked as the fist sailed over his head. The boy stumbled forward, off-balance and exposed. Lucian drove his elbow into the boy’s ribs.

  “Agh!” the boy yelped, clutching his side.

  Lucian straightened his tie. “Seriously are we done yet? I have things to do.”

  “H-how are you s-so... strong?” Tade wheezed, still trying to catch his breath.

  “Of course. The Police General believes his children should be able to defend themselves.” Lucian smiled.

  “General Meng is your father?” the third boy asked, his voice cracking.

  “How did you not know this?” Lucian asked.

  “Everyone knows this.” Lucian shook his head.

  The three exchanged nervous glances.

  “We should go,” Tade muttered.

  The three scrambled away.

  Lucian sighed, brushing an invisible speck of dust from his sleeve.

  He retrieved his bag, checking his watch. Still time to make his appointment.